FAQs ~ Frequently Asked Questions

Is it all the same soap recipe?

Yes, it is the same core recipe, except for essential oil blend options.

Since some of us don’t always wear gloves when we wash the dog, the horse, the tub, the boat, the dishes, I have made a recipe with specifically chosen ingredients that work for human, hound, home, horse, barn, farm. The only difference between products is the essential oil blend/scents. You should research the ingredients and essential oils to see if you like or want them on your skin or pet’s skin. A human, a dog, or a horse can be allergic to about anything, natural or not.

Why are there different labels, like Hand/Body, Dog, and Clean Anything Multi Use if it’s the same recipe?

I have different labels because dog stores don’t want to put a Clean Anything on shelves.

Many people get confused or don’t believe that one soap can do it all. And retail stores have specific locations and shelves for specific types of products. So there’s a label for the dog stores or the equestrian store. Plus, I don’t recommend some of the essential oil blends for dogs and horses, so they just have several scent options. I make my own labels, so I can easily print which one I need for the order. Many customers do just get the Clean Anything soap in Lemon Lavender or Unscented and use it for 1 or 100 cleaning jobs.

Which essential oil blends /scents are recommended for dogs?

Unscented and Lemon Lavender

First and foremost, I wholeheartedly recommend UNSCENTED because dogs have such keen smell ability, that I imagine they would prefer UNSCENTED. And any mammal can be sensitive to any ingredient.

I have been making the Dog Wash Lemon Lavender for 20 years. It contains Lemon, Lemongrass, and Lavender Essential Oils. The essential oils are less than 1% (.75% actually) of the recipe. The scent is not very strong and much of it will wash off with a thorough rinse. WARHORSE has washed MANY thousands of dogs and the same dog MANY times, and I have never had a call or alert from a veterinarian or groomer or family about issues with the essential oils. Groomers, veterinarians, and families have been very happy with this essential oil blend. But you decide for your dog and horse.

People often tell me that they think the lavender repels fleas. I have no evidence of this personally.  

There are studies that show lavender oil scent can calm dogs and horses, and people. I doubt there’s enough lavender oil in the soap to have this effect. Interesting, the US Equestrian Federation has banned lavender oil for horses during their competitions as it is touted to have a calming effect.

I don’t recommend the eucalyptus-spearmint or the cinnamon-orange-clove for dogs. The rose geranium is a very mild scent and I offer it for horses, with the horse label.

How do I know how much to dilute WARHORSE soap?

I offer some dilution tips, but as you know, there’s different types and levels of dirt and grime. Someone might clean the tub after every use—maybe 1 Tablespoon in a quart sprayer is plenty. Or maybe if you’re like me, I use a 1 gallon sprayer with 3 oz of WARHORSE and spray the shower about 1 time per week. Your kitchen countertops might be layered with gum or you’re just cleaning clean.

Do I have to dilute the soap?

Nope, you can wash your hands, body, dog, horse, countertop straight out of the bottle. But you might not need much, so use a little initially to conserve the soap. If your hands are greasy from changing the oil in the tractor, well, might need a full strength dose. If you have grandchildren, you might want to dilute it in a foaming soap bottle—usually a 1 oz soap to 7 oz water ratio. My grandchildren seem to over use it so I have a foamer for them.

Do I need a conditioner for long haired dogs and horse manes and tails?

Diluted apple cider vinegar and water ( 1 part vinegar to 10 part water ) works well for a conditioner. Just don’t get it in eyes as it will sting. Be sure to rinse. Lots of people use it too.

Does WARHORSE have skin or health benefits?

WARHORSE Soap is a versatile cleaner with a simple ingredient list. I don’t make any other claims about the soap.